Alex Smith Day 1 transcript: “This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here”

Because I had to transcribe it, anyway, for a future column on the 49ers QB situation, here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s media session earlier today.

I thought he was as direct as he has ever been about the health of his shoulder: Clearly, Smith feels tremendous, tracing back to his outstanding performances in last May’s OTAs.

-Q: Scot McCloughan said you were throwing the best you ever have last May in OTAs. Did you feel that way, too?

-SMITH: You know, it’s the best my arm’s felt since the initial injury, that’s for sure. Any time after that, this is the best it’s been.

And in every way—strength, just my pitch-count, I guess. It’s the best it’s been. Obviously, just those couple years, I’ve really tried to stay in it mentally even though I haven’t played. I think I’ve come along there, as well.

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Probably yeah, I would imagine this is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here.

-Q: Even better than your second year?

-SMITH: You know, mentally I’ve come a long way. Even though I haven’t played a ton since then. Even being around the game, even being able to watch, you still take things away from it and still try to get better from it.

-Q: What’s better? You see things better?

-SMITH: Yeah, I think the more you’re around the game the more you tend to grasp it. The NFL game has it’s own uniqueness to it.

-Q: Do you think you’re even with Shaun? Ahead of Shaun?

-SMITH: At this point, I don’t know. I’m not going to get into who’s leading, who’s not. I think it’s still pretty open. I think the summer ball is getting us prepared for this moment.

I think this is the real competition. We’ve been competing this whole time. But this is when it’s really going to happen. We’re going to have to show it in games, we’re going to have to show it in pads, with real bullets flying, stuff out there with helmets. Yeah, we were competing…

-Q: There was a recent report that the 49ers hierarchy wants and expects you to win the job. Do you sense that at all?

-SMITH: No, not at all. I don’t get any idea of favoritism for either of us. I think this has been totally legit since we’ve started it. I don’t think it would be any other way with Coach Singletary. So no.

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-Q: When did you start feeling really good? Was it just the last May OTAs?

-SMITH: I would say the OTAs. I think just having gone through what I did last year, it was still kind of in the back of my mind, ‘Am I going to get back feeling good?’ Last year I never totally felt that way. I think once we really started practicing, I would say like May, started getting to the point where I was throwing a lot and feeling good.

The ball was coming out with a lot of ease.

-Q: Is this the most important training camp of your career?

-SMITH: Oh definitely, it’s the only one ahead of me. Obviously, it’s the next one up, it’s the most important. It sounds cliché, but… Yeah, looking back, none of them were this big. A lot of in front of me and a lot to prove.

-Q: How important is it for Crabtree to be in camp on time?

-SMITH: It’s hard. When I was going through it, I definitely wanted to be here. It’s absolutely important. I think each day you miss as a rookie, those are such vital days. You’ve had such limited practices with the team. It’s so important to be here.

But at the same time, it’s not something to rush through. It’s a contract. It’s a big deal. It’s a contract he’ll play under for, probably, what, six years? Something like that. So you want it to get done right. But obviously I’d like it to be done as soon as possible.

-Q: Crabtree has been hurt. Have you been able to get any kind of rhythm and relationship with him?

-SMITH: He’s been around here a little bit and we’ve hung out. Seen him around the facility a little bit. Played catch with him a little bit. But you can’t really tell anything until we get out there with the pads on and get going.

-Q: What are 49ers fans going to see out of you that they didn’t see before?

-SMITH: Hopefully I just think an all-around better player, more polished, better decision-making. I think all the little things. Those are the things you get better at. You just become a more well-rounded player, a more well-rounded quarterback. That’s what I would hope to see.

-Q: Any hesitancy on any throws?

-SMITH: I’m pretty close, I’ll say that. I’d be lying if I said the shoulder occasionally doesn’t creep into my mind. But the experience I had this summer, to be honest, is the best I’ve felt with it. That was a lot of back-to-back days throwing. I felt good with it. I didn’t have soreness, I didn’t have pain. I felt really good. The ball came out effortlessly.

I felt good. And that’s the truth. So I think I’m close.

Tim Kawakami

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Uh oh . . . look out. I sense Smith is going to make a serious run at winning this spot. And he has to be very impressive because Hill basically secured Singletary his job and Sing isn’t going to forget that. I think its a great situation for the 49ers because I am confident they can both succeed and lead this team to the playoffs. Its all good. Nice to hear Smith so confident though.

Kitty Kat

I’ll believe in Smith when I see him getting it done when the pad are on and the defenders are flying around. His tentativeness and inability to make quick, correct decisions under pressure needs to have improved.

bseismic

Smith was never handled right by the organization. How many offensive coordinators? How many offensives? This for a kid that came out of an “no pro” offensive philosophy in college? All the hate? He didn’t deserve that… Anyone of the knuckleheads who ripped him here would have gone for the most guaranteed money. It’s part of the game. I think he’s got a fair shot this year with Nolan gone. If he doesn’t make it I think someone will pick him up… he’ll have a career. If not here then somewhere.

Thunder

Smith will never be a starting QB in this league for a sustainable period of time. I don’t care how smart one is in the film room. If you can’t perform the most basic function of playing QB (throwing the football) then you shouldn’t be playing the position. He is inaccurate with below average velocity. Unless of course he’s dumping a pass off to Frank Gore and feels the need to fire a Brian Wilson fastball right through his hands. But the worst thing about Smith is that horrendous delivery he has. It takes him forever to get rid of the ball when he finally decides where he’s going. What scares me the most is the 49ers brass actually thinks he can compete. I don’t think they really believe that. They’re just trying to save face for making him a number one pick.

Fumble

Kit Kat says:
“His tentativeness and inability to make quick, correct decisions under pressure needs to have improved.”

Bingo!, Kit Kat. You can probably add accuracy to that list, too. It doesn’t do any good to find a receiver wide open, then bounce a throw at his feet.

jscrilla

“Throw”…who said we need a QB to throw the ball. Mind you we will have a pretty above average running game this year with a Gore/Coffey tandem. If Alex or Shaun can throw the ball 8 yds quickly and semi accurately then I think the 9ers can be successful. Look at what the D did last year…basically allowing the offense to stay in games even with the turnovers. This year I believe the D has improved and I can see Time of Possession FINALLY in the 9ers favor after years Hostler’s mental lapses and Martz’s gambles. 11-5…If you’re not optimistic why stick by your team.

Thunder:
You don’t know shet!! Moron. Yeah….you know more than everyone in the 49’ers Organization. Alex Smith was never given a legit opportunity to see what he can do. (Proper team, coaching, O. Coordinator, etc.)

I think he might become a very good QB.

You are a sad and lonely person Thunder. It shows in your posting. Sorry to bust your weak ass, but it was too easy, and I still want Alex to become great. You haven’t grasped the big picture….you loser!

Journey

JOHN

IF YOU BELIEVE SMITH, THEN I HAVE A BRIDGE IN FRISCO I WOULD LIKE TO SELL YOU!!!!! HEH, HEH.

robert rowell

@john

don’t call it frisco, dummy.

SL Raider

I think Alex Smith’s career is similar to Phil Simms at this point. Injury plagued for the first 4-5 years and having to fight for his job against a lesser talented player. I remember Phil Simms had to fight off Jeff Rutledge in the early 80’s before becoming a very good QB 5 years after being drafted.

niner

im glad he feels good. Now can he win a game that he shouldnt win? Can he stand there and keep focused after being sacked a couple of times? Can he rally his team around him when its crunch time? enough of the BS already, put up or ……..

bigbullship

I think of simms, bradshaw, young, moon, stabler, hasselback the list goes on forever of good-above average QB’s -to great QB’s that were villified, hated because they were dafted high and had a bad first few years or that sat because they lacked ‘arm strengh’ or went throgh coaching changes -or went to new teams- hello johnny u. So the deal is no one really knows if smith is going to be a player yet- I would note that he showed flashes before he was hurt- beat Seattle on the road (a hard place to play) with a late drive -showing some mobility, and some good decisions and throws. So considering that he is not 25 yet, seems smart enough, seems like a solid guy, looks athletic enough…ummm he deserves a to be allowed to compete- let the coaches decide who give the team the best chance to win- and if it is Smith..give him 6-8 games to show what he can do.

Stop the hating…it is stupid

Chawkzilla

This is stupid! Nobody cares what Smith gas to say! It’s time for him to walk the walk. Keep you’re dang mouth shut and show the bay some heart! Then maybe you’ll finally get some Bay area love. Funny story though, I ran into Alex Smith at a Giants Padre game. He was Rockin a Peavy Padre jersey, nice huh? Anyway my friend tells me hey that’s Alex Smith, you wanna take a picture with him? My response was f*ck no he sucks! NUFF SAID!

Lance Newberry

>>>Now can he win a game that he shouldnt win? Can he stand there and keep focused after being sacked a couple of times? Can he rally his team around him when its crunch time<<<

Smith has done all those things and he’s done them more than once. He has won games with very little help around him. He has shown character and toughness on the field and for a very young kid he handled all the off-field Nolan BS very well, with a couple of exceptions (IMO it’s ALWAYS a mistake to whine to the media, even if it’s minor whining and even if it’s totally justified; you always come out looking bad).

I agree that his biggest issue is his throwing mechanics, but much of his hesitant play (when he was 20 – 22 years old) was based on his worrying too much about doing everything just exactly perfect and being afraid of making a mistake. Pretty common for someone so young with so much pressure to be AMAZING right away, despite the fact that everyone including Nolan admitted that Smith was a project from the beginning.

He has shown many of the intangibles that make great QBs, has shown character and won games in the 4th quarter that the team was poised to lose, but at this point he does need to show that he’s not a kid anymore and can play with more confidence and technical precision.

The problem of course is that with the first bad throw he makes the hellrain of boo’s will crash down, which is why I think unless he TOTALLY blows Hill away in the preseason he should start on the bench. He won’t pout, he’ll wait his turn, and if/when he has to go in it won’t be with the entire world on his shoulders, again.

Either way, at this point I do not think the QB position is the biggest question for this team. Right tackle, pass rush, cornerback and the Offensive Coordinator (again) are much more open to failure IMO.

Interesting that Derrick Burgess was a no-show with the Raiders today, and they don’t sound happy about it. He’d look pretty good in a 49er uniform this season.